Posted in Career Best Practices

Ready to Go Beyond the Basics? Advanced Interview Strategies to Land the Job

You spent time exploring your skills, interests, and potential employers. You also invested hours developing your resume and cover letters. Now, it’s time to prepare for interviews.

Job interviews let you make positive impressions on employers. You can clarify how your knowledge, skills, experience, and accomplishments would provide organizational value.

Here are innovative interview tips that set you apart and help seal the deal:

Ensure Your LinkedIn Profile Is Complete. Include your current job, skills, projects, achievements, education, and other selling points. Craft an image of your personality and what your work means to you.
Review the Job Posting. Reread the job description to learn the company’s values, duties and responsibilities, required skills and experience, expectations, and other relevant details. Consider specific ways these factors apply to your background.
Research the Company. Review the company’s website and social media pages to learn about the culture, products/services, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, latest news, and other relevant details. Visit Glassdoor and other employer review sites to see what a day at the office is like.
Look for Employee Referrals. Use LinkedIn to see whether you know any company employees who can advocate on your behalf. You’re more likely to fit the culture, meet the job requirements, and receive a job offer when you have a connection.
Practice Answering Interview Questions. Use your company research, job description, and resume information to share concrete ways you can provide organizational value. Show how the job fits your long-term career goals and why you are worth investing in. Be mindful that behavioral questions starting with “Tell me about a time…” or “Describe a time when…” are popular.
Dress One Step Above the Job. Choose attire slightly above the dress code that fits with the culture. Focus on employee LinkedIn headshots or call HR for guidance on what to wear.
Start with a Positive Mindset. Visualize yourself building rapport with the interviewers, effectively answering questions, and advancing in the hiring process.
Engage with the Interviewers. Give the speaker attention by smiling, making eye contact, and nodding. Also, pause before answering questions to show you’re listening.
Emphasize Your Accomplishments. Use the job description to determine which knowledge, skills, and abilities are most important. Then, share your relevant experiences and quantifiable achievements to illustrate your point. Show how you can solve employer problems and add company value.
Ask Questions. Learn more about the company, job, or another topic mentioned during the interview. Show you are invested in the job and should advance in the hiring process.
Request Business Cards. When the interview is done, shake hands and ask for each interviewer’s business card so you can follow up.
Email Each Interviewer a Thank-You Note. Include three main topics discussed and three top reasons to hire you. Mention you look forward to hearing back soon.

Would You Like Help with Interviewing?

If you’re anxious about interviewing, get in touch with PrideStaff. Our knowledgeable recruiters can help you prepare for interviews. Contact your local PrideStaff office to start your search for a great new job today.

Pitch Yourself Perfectly: Yes, It’s Possible!